I have the Ipod touch, older version, but I love it. Great music, Internet, Stores my favorite photos and has games. I thought all that add-on stuff was stupid to but I really love it all now. It all comes in handy.

I see you don't really want that though. I still suggests Apple products because they are so easy to use. Some are very basic like the shuffle. If you wanted you could even buy the older models off ebay for REAL cheap or the like if music is all you want. As for other products and companies, I can't give you an opinion. I have never really had any kind of MP3 player up until my Ipod mini and then updated to the Touch in 2008.